Lakewood Humane Society finds home

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Autumn Solomon is still reveling in the excitement of last week’s events.

Just two months after launching the Humane Society of Lakewood Ranch, not only is the organization more than halfway to its $25,000 short-term fundraising goal — raising more than $14,000 during a Jan. 20 fundraiser at the home of MGA Insurance owners Lou and Ann Marie Marinaccio — the group now has a place to call home.

“I have to pinch myself,” said Solomon, the organization’s president. “We actually have bricks and mortar behind us. It’s a busy and exciting time.”

Following a plea from Solomon for building space at last weeks’ fundraiser, Stanley Steemer owners Mark and Connie Gellner offered the use of part of their building in the Lakewood Ranch Corporate Park. The 2,500-square-foot space at the front of the building at 7334 Trade Court already is equipped with multiple offices, a waiting room and a large main area.

“We do a lot of charity work in Orlando, and we’ve supported the SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) the past 11 years,” Mark Gellner said. “We’re sort of branching out. We just felt it was a great opportunity to get them off the ground on the right foot.”

The Gellners, who live in Orlando, own five Stanley Steemer franchises, including the one based in Lakewood Ranch. Although the couple had not intended on donating the space when they attended the fundraiser, they knew it would be the perfect solution for the Humane Society as the organization looked for a permanent home, Gellner said.

“We love pets,” Gellner said. “We love messy kids. That’s what keeps us in business.”

Since its inception late last year, the Humane Society of Lakewood Ranch has been operating under a foster system for the animals. The new facility will serve as an adoption center as well as a medical facility for animals being rescued.

Dr. Erik Walker, of Nokomis, attended the group’s open call for volunteers in December and now will serve as the facility’s medical director.

“We’re going to be able to bring in animals and provide a true adoption facility,” Solomon said, noting protocols for taking in animals must be established. “There’s a lot of planning to be done. We’re excited, but we’re not going to rush it.”

Solomon said the new adoption facility is expected to open in six to eight weeks and will offer medical treatment for animals, adoptions and even adoption counselors for prospective pet owners.

Monies raised at last week’s fundraiser will go toward purchasing necessary medical equipment, medicine for animals and other items, as well as for some operational costs associated with the new location.

Solomon said she continues to look for a parcel of land for a permanent facility.

“We want to have a sanctuary, and this obviously is limited,” she said. “We’re continuing our search, but it’s great to have mission control for right now.”

The Humane Society is seeking donations of office equipment, furniture, supplies of dog and cat food, crates, treats, towels and cleaning supplies. For information, visit www.HSLWR.org or call 840-4055.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].

MEET THE DOC
Dr. Erik Walker has assumed the post of the Humane Society of Lakewood Ranch’s new medical director.
Walker graduated from the University of Tennessee’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2008, and became interested in shelter medicine through his volunteer work at spay/neuter clinics during vet school, as well as while assisting in rescue work after Hurricane Katrina.

“I think we’ve got a great program going on with a core of excellent volunteers,” Walker said. “We have a lot of people who have shelter experience and have been in the shelter program for years. We’re working hard on getting this thing going.”

Most recently, Walker has volunteered with the Sarasota Animal Rescue Coalition and Buddy’s Feral Cat program.